“Prime Minister” Instructs Cabinet to Prepare for El Nino And Push Forward with Land Bridge Project to Create National Opportunities

Today (28 April 2026), 2:00 PM at Government House, Ms. Rachada Thanadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced the results of the Cabinet meeting. She stated that the Prime Minister's instructions during the Cabinet meeting included discussions on the Land Bridge project, which the government is striving to make a reality because it presents an opportunity for Thailand to bring in revenue, create jobs, and contribute to long-term national development. However, it has not been successfully implemented in the past. The Prime Minister emphasized in the meeting that, given the changing geopolitical context, the Land Bridge project needs to be viewed more deeply and from multiple perspectives, as it presents economic opportunities for the southern provinces. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister understands the concerns of the public, as there are concerns in every aspect. Therefore, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for relevant agencies to conduct field visits to listen to public opinion, starting with Chumphon and Ranong provinces. He assigned the Ministry of Transport to gather feedback and opinions from the local people.

Ms. Rachada further stated that the Prime Minister also mentioned the push for the Community Forest Act, aiming for sustainable coexistence between people and forests. This act will enable people in the areas to help care for and protect the forests while also benefiting from their conservation. For example, it will allow community members and community committees to generate income from selling carbon credits. Currently, only 5% of this income goes to the people, but if the government can pass this Act in Parliament, all income from carbon credit sales will go to the people. There are more than 11,000 such communities, marking another significant step in promoting sustainable coexistence between people and forests and enabling citizens to earn income.

Ms. Rachada added that the Prime Minister also issued directives regarding drought, as we are entering May 2026, a period when the El Niño phenomenon is expected. Drought is another priority for the government. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of caring for the people, starting with prevention. The Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, the Office of the National Water Resources, and other relevant agencies to prioritize the protection and care of people affected by drought. The first priority is to ensure that the public has access to sufficient and clean water for consumption and daily use.

Ms. Rachada further stated that the Prime Minister is also concerned about farmers and the need for measures to ensure they practice agriculture appropriate to the soil, weather, and climate conditions and to provide them with adequate income. The industrial sector must also have access to water, and the impact of drought on the public must be minimized. The Prime Minister has also instructed all ministries to expedite the appointment of spokespersons to work in conjunction with the Prime Minister's spokesperson in communicating government information and providing clarity to the public.

Ms. Rachada added that an off-site Cabinet meeting will be held in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, on June 8-9, 2026.